The Importance of Learning About Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia research reports some interesting findings. For instance, the mental illness is largely caused by a neuro-chemical imbalance of Dopamine, Seratonin and Norepenephrine. In a normal brain, the frontal lobe increases its blood flow and the “listening” part of the brain diminishes. PET scans reveal that in a schizophrenic brain, the frontal lobe is active but the “listening” part remains just as active. The sensory overload usually causes a hallucination. People who are born with schizophrenia generally have irregular brain cell patterns. Drugs and stress do not cause schizophrenia, but they can certainly exacerbate the symptoms. In some cases, family members who understand very little can agitate the symptoms by using an accusing tone of voice or reacting angrily to the sufferer.
One parent of a schizophrenic commented that she “couldn’t accept the fact that he had an above average I.Q., was good looking, had a good personality–and was so ill.” In order for a successful recovery, the patient’s family and friends should learn more about schizophrenia so they know how to deal with the capricious nature of a schizophrenic mind. Some parents who are confused about the illness may feel they’ve “lost their child.” Siblings may feel jealous at the extra attention given to the schizophrenia patient. Families may be riddled with shame, isolation or denial.
Many recovering schizophrenics seek to educate the public. While 2.5 Americans have been diagnosed with the disorder, it is believed that many more suffer quietly, for fear of being further ostracized by the stigma of a severe mental illness. Myths propagate the media – insinuating that a few isolated cases of schizophrenia-related violence are representative of the whole. With further education about schizophrenia, more cases will move to treatment and more treatments will be successful.